By Bill Raack, KWMU
Belleville, Ill. – Belleville area Catholics began saying goodbye to Bishop Wilton Gregory on Sunday.
Gregory will be installed as the new Archbishop of Atlanta next month. He's been the leader of Belleville's diocese for more than a decade.
On Sunday, he presided over a previously-scheduled prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville. He was presented with a painting of the Virgin Mary and a standing ovation at the conclusion of the service.
Gregory says he'll miss the people of southern Illinois. "I've received a tremendous amount of love and respect and the trust of the people. These are just wonderful, wonderful people. We went through some tough times together and I think we did good work together."
Gregory will celebrate a farewell mass in Belleville on January 7th. It could take six months to a year for his replacement to be named.
After the mass, Gregory became emotional when he reiterated that he'd miss the people the most. "There's no reason to be a bishop if you aren't with people."